I left New Zealand mid-2003, bound for Istanbul and a new lif. After two years, a Belgian guy lured me into his world, deep in the heart of Europe. For a long time I was an in-process immigrant. One day we married. These days it's about photography, a little red wine and wandering ... and so the journey goes.

What is most remarkable about this photograph is the directness of the eye contact there. As if you had somehow made a real connection, past the "rarity" or possibly rarification; that the queen is looking at you (and you are looking back, through the lens) with human intensity that isn't a question of rank and power.And I love her purple outfit.

Oh I just love this. Thanks for sharing the photo and the story. Charming, and yes very unicorn like. Reminds me of when Elton John came up and started talking to me when my pesky ex-husband kept trying to "accidentally" get him in a photo. I never was one to be star struck but I didn't expect to ride on a boat in Shanghai with Elton John and for the life of me cannot remember what words we exchanged except for a mutual admission that we both felt stupid in the situation!

You know, I was terribly worried that the Queen might do a handshaking walk about after the ceremony. I'm not usually starstruck however I wasn't sure how I would go with her. The camera shake was a surprise.